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Thunderbolts Festival 2026
Theme for 2026: Disco. Get ready to dust off your dancing shoes and step back into the disco era. Join us for a fantastic day of family-friendly entertainment, including:
7.30 for 8.00am start – Bush Poets Breakfast (Bolt Inn – all welcome); 10.30am – Fleet Warbirds Street Parade (assemble Park Street – travel New England Highway to Alma Park); Spectacular Street Parade (Captain Thunderbolt, Blue Motorcycle Project, mustangs, fire engines, local schools and community floats); Official Opening (Brendan Moylan MP and Mayor Robert Bell); Welcome to Country (Aunty Pam Meehan); 11.00am-3.00pm – Activities in Alma Park (free entry) – all street parade vehicles on display in Queen Street; Helly Hoops (roving performer – giant bubbles, hula hoops, circus, closing and more!); JP & Hemlock’s (scary and hairy show); Blue Motorcycle Project; Face painting (small fee); NEMAS medieval arts display And spontaneous combat; Photo booth, props provided; Markets among the lovely shady trees; New England Antique Machinery Club display; EnergyCo Stage – Four Book Trilogy (playing a mix of covers and originals); Main Street Activation: Thunderbeats roving band; Chilli Jam (Bolt Inn verandah); The Kelly Gag (53 on Bridge Café). ACEN Australia $2 wristband (coin preferred) – Rock Climb Wall; Inflatable obstacle course; Giant and mini jumping castles. Food at Alma Park provided by: OI Mates Coffee; BBQs by Rocky River and St Joseph’s Schools P&Cs; Hot dogs by Uralla Central School P&C; Friends of McMaughs (sandwiches and tea). Night event Alma Park 6.30-8.30pm: 6.40pm – Drumming workshop; 7.30pm – Helly’s Hula Hoop Feature Show (neon hoops, poi and free playspace); Uralla Neighbourhood Centre sausage sizzle. Live Music: Alternate Root – 7.30pm (The Sinners); 9.00pm (Fovndlings); Top Pub (karaoke); Bolt Inn – 9.00pm till late (DJ Leroy).
The Thunderbolts Festival has been bringing the community together for 27 years, and this year’s disco-themed celebration promises to be bigger and brighter than ever.
Thunderbolts Festival is a smoke and alcohol free event.
